Cable reel



J; J. SLOM ER Nov. 28, 1950 CABLE REEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed May 12, 1944 V 1 Divas roe dosepfi/Jylomef" WPWA Nov. 28, 1950 J. J. SLOMER 23,300

CABLE REEL Original Filed May 12, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 63- 650 74 73 71 JrToR/vn' Reissuecl Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CABLE REEL Joseph J. Slomer, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois September 30, 1948.

21 Claims. (Cl. 242-90) This invention relates to improvements in cable reels particularly adapted for use on mine locomotives and more particularly relates to a fluid motor drive for a cable reel adapted to supply power to a moving vehicle such as a mine locomotive of the gathering type.

Heretofore mine locomotives of the gathering type have been supplied with power when beyond the power line by means of an electric cable wound on or payed off of a reel, which is driven rectly connected with a cable reel and maintains tension on the cable during the unwinding operation when the locomotive is moving away from the source of power, said motor being driven by the cable reel as a generator during unwinding. Various forms of means have been provided to cut a resistance into or out of the cable reel drive motor circuit during the winding and unwinding operations, and when the locomotive is stalled, in order to maintain substantially the same tension on the cable when completely wound on its drum as when partially wound on its drum and during unwinding and stalling of the locomotive. Such switching arrangements have never been entirely satisfactory, chiefly because the switching means must be mechanically operated and no switching means has yet been devised which is responsive to the torque on the winding drum, to cut a resistance into or out of the motor circuit.

The principal objects of my present invention are to provide a fluid motor drive to a cable reel for a mine locomotive, so arranged that the volume of fluid supplied to the motor for the cable reel will be automatically increased as the torque on the winding drum decreases and will be automatically decreased as the torque on the winding drum increases.

Still another object is to enable a fluid motor to drive cable reel of a mine vehicle and to be driven as a pump in the reverse direction during unreeling of the cable and to maintain a back pressure on the motor when acting as a pump, the amount of such back pressure being controlled by a valve having a movable valve member therein shiftable in response to such change in operation of the fluid motor to maintain proper tension on the cable at a desired value during the unree'ing operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide a fluid motor drive to the cable reel of a mine locomotive wherein the fluid motor is driven ass. 5:

pump during the unwinding operation and maintains tension on the cable during unwinding and stalling of the locomotive, and to so arrange the fluid connections that said fluid motor may be driven as a pump without stopping operation of the pump which supplies fluid under pressure to said motor.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a form of fluid circuit arranged in accordance with my invention, for driving a fluid motor operatively connected with a cable reel;

Figure 2 is an enlarged end View of the relief valve shown in Figure 1, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in section;

Figure 3 is a section View taken substantially along line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing certain details of the valve shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 'l-'I of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the fluid pump shown in Figure 1'; and

In Figure 1 of the drawings, a cable reel It is shown as having an electric cable wound thereon. The cable II is adapted to be connected at its free end to a source of electric power, to supply electric power to a vehicle, such as an electric locomotive, moving towards or from said source of power. Said cable reel may be of any well known construction and is no part of my present invention, so will not herein be shown or described in detail. A fluid motor [2 is provided to rotatably drive said reel and may be directly connected thereto as by a bevel gear reduction. Said motor is herein shown as being a well known form of gear motor, and is no part of my present invention so is not shown in detail. A fluid pump I5, driven by a suitable motor (not shown), is provided to supply fluid under pressure to said fluid motor [2 through a pressure line iii. Said pump, as herein shown, is of a multiple gear type including a central rotor l3 having driving con "volume of fluid supplied to the fluid motor i2 3 nection with four gears [1, I8, l9 and 20, each of which gears with said rotor serves as an individual pump, to supply fluid to the pressure line l6 at a definite volume.

Ihe gear and pump 11 may have connection with a pressure line 2| which may be connected with the hydraulic brakes of the locomotive, for supplying fluid under pressure thereto. The gear and pump I8 is directly connected with the pressure line It for supplying fluid under pressure thereto and to the fluid moto'rlj. V The gear and pump I8 is connected with a relief'valve 23 by a pipe 24 and is connected from said relief valve to the pressure line it by a pipe 25, to supply fluid to said pressure line through said relief valve. The gear and pump 26 is. connected to a relief valve 25 by means of a pipe 2l, 'an'd'is' connected from said relief valve to the pressure line [6 by means of a pressure line 28.

The pump I8 is provided to supply fluid at a definite pressure and volume to the motor !2, to drive said motor. Pressure is relieved from said pump andthe pressure line [6 through a reliei valve 29, connected with said pressure line by means of a pipe'30 (see (Figures 1 and 3). When the pum !8 is connected in the pressure line l6,

the volume of fluid supplied to the motor !2 is increased a predetermined amunt,iand when the pump-2il is connected in' thepressure line It, the

Will be increased a further amount, to increase the speed of motor, so said motor'may drive the cable reel 13 at a speed sufficient to maintain tension on and'pick up the cable 4 l, as the speed of travel or the locomotive increases.

The intake side of the pump i is connected with a fluid storage tank 3| by means of a pipe 33.

A passagewa formed in a housing St for said pump is connected with said intake pipe and is formed to traverse a rectangular path around said housing tosupplyfl'uidto each of the pumps l' i, l8, l9 and 23. A passageway 3'! connects said passageway 35 with the'inlet port of the pump II, to supply fluid thereto, while passageways 4B, 39 and 8 connect said passageway 35 with the inlet ports of the pumps I8, 19 and 2G, respectively, to supplyfluid thereto. A separate relief valve 42 is providedin said housing for each pump, to relieve excess pressures therefrom. The relief valve 42 for the pump 19 includes a ball 43 adapted to close passageway at leading from outlet port of saidpump. Said ball is held in its seat by meansof a spring '35 seated onsaid ball at one of its ends a'ndseated at its opposite end Within a hollow plugs-E, threaded in said housing. When the pressure in the outlet side of-the pump exceeds a predetermined value, determined by the spring 45, theball3 will be unseated, to permit fluid to flow by said ball through a passageway H to the intake passageway 35, as shown in Figure 7. The details of the connections from each relief valve to each pump are not herein shown'or described, sincethe connection from one pump to its relief valve is substantially the same as that of another pump to its relief valve, and the particular arrangement of said relief valves and their connections to their associated pumps are no part of my present invention.

When the pump [5 is operating and thelocomotive is moving towards its source of power, fluid will be supplied to the pressure line [6 by means thereof. creases, the valve 26 will open to the return transmitted to a valve pistion 49 of the relief valve 23, through a pipe to move said valve piston against a, spring 5| and open said valve to the returnthrough a pipe 53. This will by pass part of the volume of fluid supplied to the fluid motor I2 and decrease the speed of rotation As the pressure in the line I6 again inthrough ap'ipe '54, to further by-pass part of the Yolunie of fluid supplied to the motor [2. As

the locomotive speeds up and tension on the cable is decreased, the relief valve 25 will first close the return through the pipe 54, and the relief valve 23 will then close the return through the pipe 53, to increas'e'the volume of fluid supplied tosaid ifiuid motor and to increase the speed thereof in accordancewith the speed of travel of thelocomotive.

It should her-e beiunderstood that during the Winding operationthe.. pum-p [8 may supply fluid to the motor i2 by itselffor the pumps 18 and 20 may supply fluid. tosaidi motor, or the pumps !8, I9 and 2E] may supply fluid to'saidmotor, and

that said pumps will behohtinuously' cut into or out of the pressure line 1E depending-upon the tension'of the cable 11. .The valve 29 may be set to permit thepump' f8 to :exerta pressure of 500 pounds per squareiinch'onthe line it, while the spring 5| of the valve 23 may be set to cut the pumpifi out df :the'fluidcircuit when 'the'p'ressure in said line 16 :reaches 300 pounds per'square inch, and the springpf the :valve may be set to cut the pumpf2fl out .ofthe fluid circuit when'the pressure in said line-reaches 40$- pounds per square "inch. It shouldfurther be understood that anynumber -of pumps "and reiie'f valves may be provided "to more evenly. graduate 'saidpassage (seeFigure'QL The discharge side of said valve communicates with a passage communicating with aftuin' line'51, connected with the fluid storage tank 3 l. Itishould here be understood that when pressure'hel'cl in the line 18 by the relief valve 29 is at a maximum value.

the relief valves-23 and 26 will by-pass fluid from the pumps I 9 'and 20 to theiluid storage tank 3| and thus reduce tlie v olume of fluid supplied to the reel Ill.

When the motor 12 is driving the cable reel Ill,

fluid will be returned nem sis motor to the tank 3l through a repeat, onnec'ted to avalv'e block 68, which has the 'va amounted therein. During normal operation of'said mdtor'gfluid will pass through said"p'ipe*to-and' through said valve block, through a pa sageways. in said valve block, to and-through a "passagew'ay152 in said valve block, pasta'ch'eck valve itfijher'e'in shown as being of thebau'typerthrongn a passageway reel ID to the speed required to pick up its cable and maintain tension thereon, as the speed of travel of the locomotive towards its source of motor is driven as a pump, a suction will be created through the pipe 59. This will open a piston valve 66 in the valve block 60 against a spring 61 (see Figure When said valve is open, fluid will pass from the pipe 6%; through a groove 659 formed in the block for the valve 66, to and through a passageway 68 in said valve block. From thence fluid will pass by a check valve 69 and through a passageway to said motor through the pipe 59 (see Figure 3). Opening of said valve 66 effected by suction in the pipe 59 will cause a land II of said valve to move to a position to permit fluid to pass from the passage 58, which intersects and communicates with a groove '53 in the valve block Eiii, as indicated by reference character I33. From said groove 73 fluid will pass in the spaced formed between the land II and a'land I2 of said valve, to a groove M formed in said valve block. Said groove i l intersects and communicates with the passageway T5 in said valve, which is connected with the release side of the check Valve 29 and to the tank 3I by the return pipe 5'1, to by-pass fluid past the valve 29 (see Figure 5). The motor Ii. driven as a pump by the cable I I will thus suck fluid from the storage tank 3i through the valve 68 and pipe 59, and will return fluid to said storage tank through the pipe 30, valve 66, passageway I5 andpipe 51. It should be understood that when said motor I2 is being driven as a pump, the pumps I8, I9 and are in operation, and that pressure in the line I6 has dropped an amount suflicient to connect the pumps I5 and 20 in the fluid system with the pump I8. When said motor I2 is operating as a pump, the output from the pumps IS, IS and and output from the motor I2 is passed through the relief valve 29 and takes a path through the pipe 36, passageway 58, past the orifice I formed by the intersection of passageway 58 with the groove I3, past the valve 66, past the groove M formed in the valve block Bil into passageway I5 and out the return pipe 51 to the tank 3!. The restriction afforded by the orifice I30 and the restrictions afforded by the passageways and grooves of the valve block til cause back pressure to be exerted on the fluid motor I2, which is sufficient to maintain tension on the cable I i and prevent the cable Ii from freely unwinding.

It may be seen from the foregoing that the locomotive is moving towards its source of power and tension on the cable I I is relatively high, that the pump It will supply fluid to drive the motor I2 and that as the speed of travel of the locomotive increases, to tend to form slack in the cable II, the pumps I9 and 20 will be progressively cut into the fluid circuit, to supply fluid to drive the motor I2 and increase its speed, and the speed of winding of the cable reel II). As the cable reel catches up, to maintain tension on the cable II, the pump 59 will first be cut out by the relief valve 23. The pump 26 will then be cut out by the relief valve 26, to further reduce the volume of fluid supplied to the motor I2 and reduce the speed of the winding drum In to correspond with the speed of travel of the locomotive, said pumps being cut into the fluid circuit to said motor I2, to increase the volume of fluid supplied to said motor and increase the speed of winding of the power increases. It may further be seen that when the direction of travel of the vehicle is reversed, that the motor I2 is driven by the cable reel as a pump and that the pumps IS, IS and 20 together with the restrictions afiorded by the oriflce E30 and the passageways and grooves in the valve block 5d serve to exert sufficient back pressure against the motor l2, when driven as a pump in unreeling of the cable II, to prevent free unwinding of the cable reel lb, and to maintain tension on the cable I I.

When the locomotive is in a stationary position on the track and the cable II is connected to the source of power, the pump I8 will supply fluid to the motor l2, to tend to drive said motor and the cable reel It and to maintain tension on the cable II, it being understood that fluid is by-passed from said motor to the tank 3| through the valve 29 and return pipe 51, when a predetermined pressure is reached in the pressure line I6.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting my invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cable reeling mechanism, a winding drum adapted to have a cable wound thereon, a fluid motor for driving said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon, and means for maintaining a substantially uniform tension on said cable during the winding operation including a pressure line leading to said motor, a plurality of pumps for supplying fluid to said pressure line,

and separate valve means associated with each of said pumps, adapted to discharge fluid from its associated pump to the return, upon predetermined loads on said cable, and to permit its associated pump to supply fluid to said pressure line as the tension on said cable decreases.

2. In a cable reeling mechanism, a winding drum adapted to have a cable wound thereon, a fluid motor for driving said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon, and means for maintaining a substantially uniform tension on said cable during the winding operation including a pressure line leading to said motor, a plurality of pumps for supplying fluid to said pressure line, and a separate relief Valve associated with each of said pumps, each of said relief valves being set to open at a different pressure in said pressure line, to decrease the volumeof fluid supplied to said motor as the tension of said cable increases and to increase the volume of fluid supplied to said motor as the tension on said cable decreases.

3. In a cable reeling mechanism, a winding drum adapted to have a cable wound thereon, a fluid motor for driving said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon, and means for maintaining a substantially uniform tension on said cable during the winding operation including a pressure line leading to said motor, a plurality of pumps for supplying fluid to said pressure line, one of said pumps being directly connected with said pressure line, and a separate relief valve interposed between each of the other of said said m'otor,jto create a drag on said mot being driven as a pump, sufficient .toin'aintain mason pumps and-said-pressure line, each of said relief valves being set to open to discharge-fluid to the ;-return at a different pressurein said pressure 'lineyto decrease'the volume of fluid supplied to said motor as the tension on said cable increases and to close the line-to the return-ate.

diiTere-nt pressure ill-said pressure line, to increase the volume of fluid supplied to said -motor as the tensionon said cable decreases.

--4. "In a cable reeling mechanism, a winding drum adapted to have a-cable wound thereon, a fluid motor fordriving sai'd drum in a direction -t'0"wind cable thereon, and means for maintaining a substantially uniform tensi'on on said cable *duringthe winding operation including a pressure -line leading to said motor, a-plurality'pf pumps for supplying fluid to said pressure line,

oneof said pumps being directly'connec'ted with said pressure line; and a separate relief valve'inbeing set to open -to discharge fluid- 120 the re turn at a 'di-iieren't pressurein saidpressure line,

to decrease the volume of fluid supplied to said ,m'otoras the tensionon said cable inc'rea'ses and 'to close the line to the returnat different pressures to increase the volume-offluid 'suppliedto said motor as the tension on said cable decreases, and another relief valve connected with said pressure line, for releasingfluid from said pressure line when-thepressure therein exceeds a predetermined ,value.

5. In combination, a winding drum adapted to be mounted on a vehiclefor'mbvementtherewith,

a cable on said drum'adapted to be attachedto a fixed point and to be wound on or payed off of said drum, a fluid motor for driving vsaidr'd'rum, a pump for supplying fluid under pressure to saidvmotor, said motor being driven 'bysaid'drum as a pump during the unwinding operation and 1 maintaining tensionon said cable during unwinding or stallingjof the vehicle, and means for causing-said motor to maintain tensionv on'said cable during theunwindingfoperation, when said motor is being driven as ;a "pump ,in'cluding a pressure relief .valve connected .in the pressure line from said-pump to said motor, to..relieve pressure from said pressure line, and said pump being adapted ,to .maintain ,a back pressure on when tension "on "said cable.

, 6. In, combination, a winding, drum ,adjap'tedto be mounted on a vehicle for movement therewitna cable onjs'aid drum adaptedtobe attached to a fixed point and to be wound on. or, payed off of said drum, a fluid m'otor'ior driving said drum, said motor being driven-as a-pump during the unwinding operation and maintaining: tension .on

the cable duringunwind-ing or stalling of the vehic1e,- and means for supplying .fluidvnder pressure 'to said motor to cause said :motor to drive said drum including a fluid pump, a pressure-line connected betweenqsaid pump-andmotor," and means for permitting :said-motor to be: driven as a pump during the unwinding operation and for maintaining-tension .onsaid cable'i-duringitheunwinding =operation ihcluding a relief valve T3011- .nectin'g said pressure 'line with "the return and adapted to' relieve pressure from said pressure iine w'hen-said motor is be'i ng driven as apurn curing the unwinding o'p'e'r'ati'on, 'said pump creating a' -back pressure on- 's aid motor su' fiicient create 'sliffibiht drag ""G'Il Said mOtOI mainte'rposed between'each of the other of -said-pum'ps "and said pressure line, each of=said relief valves tain: tension .ohvsaid ca Z8 7 ble" duringiithe unwinding operation.

'7. In a a cable reeling mechanism adapted to supply power to =a:moving vehicle, arwinding. drum adapted to havea cable wound thereonga fluid motor for driving said drum in a direction to wind c'ablethereon, a 'fluid pump andjapressure iline connectingsaidpump'tosaid motor, said mo- :torbeingdriven by said winding drum as a-pump during the unwinding operation and effecting tension on said cable duringunwinding or stalling, and means for relievingpressure from said motorwhen driven as a pump, but permitting said pump-to maintain aback pressure on said motor sufiicient to maintaintension on said cable during the unwinding operation.

8. In a cable reeling mechanism adapted to supply power to a moving vehicle, a winding drumadapted to have. a cable wound thereon,.a

fluid motor ior'driving saiddrum in adirection to Wind cable thereon, a fluid pump and a ressure line connecting said pump to said motor, said motor being driven by said winding drum as a pump'duringthe unwinding operation and efifecting tension on said cable during unwinding orstalling, and means for relieving pressure'irom said motor when driven as a pump, but permitting said pump to maintain "a back pressure on said motor suflicient to m'ain'taintension onsaid cable during the unwinding operation,-including a relief valve connect'ed'to said pressure line, and operated by suction from said motor, to by=pass fluid from said'mo'tor when operating as a pump.

'9. In a cable reeling mechanismadapte'd to supply power to a moving vehicle, a'win'd'ing drum adapted to have afcable wound thereon, a fluid motor for driving said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon, a fluid pump and a pressure line connecting saidpump to 'said'motor, said motor being driven by said winding drum 'asa pump during th'e'unwinding operation and effecting tension on'said cable during unwinding or stalling, a fluid storagetank, a discharge line "leading from saidmotor to saidfluid storage tank,

a valve connected in said line, said valve-including a check valve connected with said pressure line, and adapted to maintain a predetermined pressure therein, when said motor is operating as a'motor; and said valve being adapted to relieve pressurefromsaid pressure line when said motor is driven as a pump andbeing opened to relieve "pressure from said pressure line by suction developed by said motor when said motor is being driven as a pump.

10. In a fluid operated cable reeling mechanism mounted on and adapted to supply-power to a moving vehicle, a Winding drum, a cable attached at it's' 'i'reeend to a source of power'and' adapted to bewound on or payed off of said winding drum as the vehicle moves-towards or from the source of power, a fluid motor for driving said winding drum in a direction-to wind-cable thereon, said motor-being driven by said drum-as apump during the unwinding' operation and effecting tenvsion ion said'cable during unwindingan'd when the vehicle is stationary, and means for maintaining a substantially uniform tension 'onsaid cable during 'the winding operation including a pressureline leading to said motor, a plurality of pumps for supplying fluid to said pressure line, and 'aseparate-relief valve associated witheach of said pumps, each of said relief valves being set to warm a different pressure in said pressure line-"to decrease the volume of fluid supplied to said motoras the tension on said cable increases and to increase the volume of fluid supplied to said motor as the tension on said cable decreases.

11. In a fluid operated cable reeling mechanism mounted on and adapted to supply power to a moving vehicle, a winding drum, a cable attached at its free end toa source of power and adapted to be wound on or payed off of said winding drum as the vehicle moves towards or from the source of power, a fluid motor for driving said winding drum in a direction to wind cable thereon, said motor being driven by said drum as a pump during the unwinding operation and effecting tension on said cable during unwinding and when the vehicle is stationary, and means for maintaining a substantially uniform tension on said cable during the winding operation including a pressure line leading to said motor, a plurality of pumps for supplying fluid to said pressure line, one of said pumps being directly connected with said pressure line, and a separate relief valve interposed between each of the other of said pumps and said pressure line, each of said relief valves being set to open to discharge fluid to the return at a different pressure in said pressure line, to decrease the volume of fluid supplied to said motor as the tension on said cable increases and to close the line to the return at a diiferent pressure in said pressure line, to increase the volume of fluid supplied to said motor as the tension on said cable decreases.

12. In a fluid operated cable reeling mechanism mounted on and adapted to supply power'to a moving vehicle, a winding drum, a cable attached at its free end to a source of power and adapted to be wound on or payed off of said winding drum as the vehicle moves towards or from the source of power, a fluid motor for driving said winding drum in a direction to wind cable thereon, said motor being driven by said drum as a pump during the unwinding operation and effecting tension on said cable during unwinding and when the vehicle is stationary, and means for maintaining a substantiallyuniform tension on said cable during the winding operation including a pressure line leading to said motor, a plurality of pumps for supplyingfluid to said pressure line, one of said pumps being directly connected with said pressure line, and a separate relief valve interposed between each of the other of said pumps and said pressure line, each of said relief valves being set to open to discharge fluid to the return at a different pressure in said pressure line, to decrease the volume of fluid supplied to said motor as the tension on said cable increases and to close the line to the return at a different pressure line, to increase the volume of fluid supplied to said motor as the tension on said cable decreases, and another relief valve connected with said pressure line, for releasing fluid from said pressure line when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined value.

13. In a cable reeling mechanism mounted on and adapted to supply power to a moving vehicle, a winding drum adapted to have a cable wound thereon, a fluid motor for driving said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon, said motor being driven by said winding drum as a pump during the unwinding operation and effecting tension on said cable durin unwinding or stalling, and means fo maintaining a substantially uni form tension on said cable during the winding operation including a pressure line leading to said motor, a plurality of pumps for supplying 10' fluid to said pressure line, separate valve means associated with each of said pumps, adapted to open to discharge fluid to the return upon predetermined torque loads on said winding drum,

.' as the tension on said cable increases, and to permit its associated pump to supply fluid to said pressure line as the tension on said cable decreases, and means causing said motor to maintain tension on said cable during unwinding including means for relieving pressure from said motor when driven as a pump, but permitting'said pumps to'maintain a back pressure on said motor sufficient to maintain tension on said cable including a relief valve connected with said pressure line and operated by suction from said motor when driven as a pump, to by-pass fluid from said motor when driven by said cable as a pump.

14. In a cable reeling mechanism adapted to supply power to a moving vehicle, a winding drum adapted to have a cable wound thereon, a fluid motor for driving said drum in a direction to wind cable thereon, said motor being driven by said winding drum as a pump during the unwinding operation and effecting tension on said cable during unwinding or stalling, and means for maintaining a substantially uniform tension on said cable during the winding operation including a pressure line leading to said motor, a plurality of pumps for supplying fluid to said pressure line, one of said pumps being directly connected with said pressure line, a separate relief valve interposed between each of the other of said pumps and said pressure line, each of connected with said pressure line, for releasing' fluid from said pressure line when the pressure therein exceeds a predetermined value, and means causing said motor to maintain tension on said cable during unwinding including means for relieving pressure from said pressure line when said motor is driven as a pump, but permitting said pumps to maintain a back pressure on said motor, suflicient to maintain tension on said cable, including a valve connected in said pressure line ahead of said last mentioned relief valve and operated by suction from said motor when driven as a pump, to bypass fluid from said motor when being driven by said cable as a pump.

15. In a fluid operated cable reeling mechanism mounted on and adapted to supply power to a moving vehicle, a winding drum, a cable attached at its free end to a source of power and adapted to be wound on or payed off of said winding drum as the vehicle moves towards or from the source of power, a fluid motor for driving said winding drum in a direction to wind cable thereon, said motor being driven by said drum as a pump during the unwinding operation and effecting tension on said cable during unwinding and when the vehicle is stationary, and means for maintaining a substantially uniform tension on said cable during thewinding operation including a pressure line leading to said motor, a plurality of pumps for supplying fluid to said pressure line, and a separate relief valve associated with each of said pumps, each of said recasua n lief valvesbeingset to openatra different pfe'sa sure in said pressure line to decrease the volume of fluid" supplied to said motor as thtehsion ofsaid' cable increases and to increase'theivolume of'fl'uid suppliedto: said motor as the tension ;v

of "said cable decreases, and means causing "said motor to maintain tension? on said cable" duringthe unwinding operation including means for-re= lieving pressure 'from'said motor 'when-"dri'ven'as a' pump, but permitting said pumps 'to 'maintain' 19;

enough back pressure on said motor to maintain' tension" on said: cable including a relief valve connecting said p'ressure line to the return 'and operatedbysuction from said motor when driven as pu p; to y-pas'ssfluid from said motor when driven by said cable asa pump;

1.6. In a fluidoperated cable reeling"mecha= nism mounted on and adapted to supply power to a moving vehicle. a winding drum; a cable attached'at its freeend to a' sourse of'power and" 20- adapted to be wound on or. payed off' of said' winding drum as the vehicle moves'toward's/or from the source of power; a? fluid motorfordi'iv' ing said winding drum in a direction td-wihd" cable thereon; said motor being d rivenbysaid 251':

drum as a pump duringi'the unwinding' operation and effecting tensionon'said cable durin'gmn winding andwhen'the vehicle is stationary; and means for'm'aintaining a substantially uniform tension 'on said cable during the windingppera tion including a pressure line leadingto said motor; a'plu-rality of pumps'for supplying fluid to' said pressure line, one of sa'id pumps. being directly "connected with said pressu-refline; and" a'- separate relief valve interposed between" ea'clis of the otherof'said pumps and said pressureline; eachof said" relief valves beingset'to open todischar'ge fiuidto the returna't a'd'ifier'ent pressure in said pressure line; to"dec rease the volume said cable increases and to closefl'thel'ine to the" return at a different'pres's ure in said pressure": line, to-increase the volume of 'fluid suppliedto said'motor- 'as the tension on said cable decreases;

and another relief valve connected" with" said pressure line, for releasing fluidfron'i said ressure line when the"pressurethereinexceeds apredetermined value; and means causing said motor to maintain tensionon said cabledu-ririg' unwindingincludi-ng a valve in said pressure line so" and arranged" to by-pass fluid around said-last mentioned'relief valve; said valve being opened to discharge fluid 'from'said pressure line to the return by suction from said motor when driven as a pump, to permit saidmotorto be driven as a pump, but to maintain sufii'cient dragon said' motor to prevent free unwinding oi said cable-'- from said winding, drum.

1'7. In a cable reel mechanism for a vehicle adapted to be supplied with electric power" from a'fixedpoint and adapted to mov'e'towards and away from said fixe'dpoint,, a' winding drum mounted on said vehicle for movement therewith; a cable on said drum connected to saidfixed'point for providing a power connection from said fixed point'tosaid"vehicleand adapted to'be wound upon; or payed away from said drum'when' said vehicle moves toward or awayfromf saidfiked point. av fluid reservoir, a pump for supplying fluid under pressure. a fluid operated motoroperated by pressure fluid and drivably connected to: saiddrum: anddriven as a fluid motor for. driving said drum to" wind cable thereon and driven asa pump wh en'said'vehicleus moving.

away from" said fixed" point and paying cable Z5 12 fronrv-said drum, a valvefoncontrolling the pre's'-- sure ofsaid pressure fluid, a-secondi valve having: ashifta'bl'ez'valve member therein" shiftable in response. to" flow- 0f fluid when said fluid motor is operatingi as a pump to partly relieve the pressureso' created, to said fluid reservoir; to

maintairr proper tension on said cable when beingf'payed away from said winding drum.

I8.i In a": cable reel 'mechanism for: a vehicle adapted tobe supplied with electric: power from V a; flxedpointand. adapted to move towards andv away from" said" fixed" point, a? winding drum mounted on said vehicle for movement there with' a -c'able on saididrum' connected to said fixed point for: providing apower connection from said fixed point to' said vehicle and adapted to: be

wound upon orpayedraway from" said drum when" said vehicle moves towards or "away fromtsaid fixed point; a fluid reservoir; a pump for supplying fluid under pressure, .a' fluid operated motor operated bypressure" fluid and drivably' connected tofsaid drum and driven: as a-fluidmotor 'for'driving said drum to wind cable "thereon and driven as a pump whensaid vehicle-is moving away from said fixed' point and paying" cable from said drum, and means for by-passing the fluid'supplied by said pump and' the' fiuid 'supplied by said motor when acting as'a' pump'in'clu'ding' avalve having a valve member therein shiftab-le'in response to the move'-' ment o-i' fiuid'when said motor is operating as a pump, a fluid passageway in said valve connecting the"output-from'said motortct said fluid reservoir upon movement of sa'id shi'ftabIe valve member when acti'ngas a ump; and a restriction in" said passageway to theflow' of fluid from said motor' when acting as a pump formaintaining tension" on said *cableat a desired value whensaiddrum is paying oft cable.

19 In a cable reel mechanism for amine'v'ehi cleadapted" to be supplied" with electric power from a fixed point and adapted t'o' m'ove towards" and 'away from said" fixedpoint; a winding drum mounted on said vehicle for movement therewith, a cable wound on said drum connected to said fixed pointfor providing a'power connection from said flked' point to said vehicle and adapted' to' be w'ou'n'dupon or'paye d away from said drum wh'en saii1 vehicle moves" toward or" away from said fix'ed" point; a" fiuid reservoir; a pump for supplying fluid under pressure; a fluid operated" Inenhanismdri-i ably connected to' said drum and" driven as a' lipid motor by" pressure fluidsup'-;

li iedbv-said pump for driving-said drum to wind" cable there'cnand' driven by said drum as aipump' when said vehicle is moving awavfr'om said fixed point and paying cable from said drum? a valve" having a shiftable valvemember therein shi table in response to flow offiuid when said fluid motor is operating as a pum a fluid passageway in said' valve connecting the output from said motor when actin as a pum to said fluidres'er voir, anda restriction in'said passageway to the flow of fluid from said motor when actin as. a'

pump formaintainina tension on said cable at a desired value when said'drumis aying ofl cable.

20. In a cable reel mechanism for a mine vehicle a'da te'dto be supplied with electric power from a fined point and. ada ted to move towards and away from said fixed'point, a winding drum mounted on said vehicle for movement therewith,

a* cable" wound on said drum connected to said fixed'poi'nt for providing a power'connection fromsaid flked'point to said "vehicle and" adapted to be'wound uponor payed away from said drum when said vehii lt mOveS towardor" away front said fixed point, a fluid reservoir, a pump for supplying fluid under pressure, a fluid operated mechanism drivably connected to said drum and driven as a fluid motor by pressure fluid supplied by said pump for driving said drum to wind cable thereon and driven by said drum as a pump when said vehicle is moving away from said fixed point and paying cable from said drum, a valve having a shiftable valve member therein shiftable in response to flow 0f fluid, when said fluid motor is operating as a pump, a fluid passageway in said valve connecting the output from said motor when acting as a pump tofws aid fiuid reservoir upon movement of said shiftable valve member, to maintain tension on said cable at a desired value when said drum is paying off cable.

21. In a cable reel mechanism for a mine vehicle adapted to be supplied with electric power from a fixed point and adapted to move towards and away from said fixed point, a winding drum mounted on said vehicle for movement therewith,

acable wound on said drum connected to "said fixed point for providing a power connection from said fixed point to said vehicle and adapted to be wound upon or payed away from said drum when said vehicle moves toward or away from said fixed point, a fluid reservoir, a pump for supplying fluid under pressure, a fluid operated mechanism drivably connected to said drum and driven as a fluid motor by pressure fluid supplied by said pump for driving said drum to wind cable thereon and driven by said drum as a pump when said vehicle is moving away from said fixed point and paying cable from said drum, a valve having a shiftable valve member therein shiftable in response to the pressure at the input side of said motor when acting as a pump, a fluid passageway in said valve connecting the output from said motor when acting as a pump to said fluid reservoir upon movement of said shiftable valve member, and a restricting orifice in said passageway to the passage of fluid from said motor when acting as a pump to maintain tension on said cable at a desired value when said drum is paying on cable.

JOSEPH J. SLOMER.

No references cited. 

